Counting gaming chips

ABSTRACT

An image can be captured from an imaging device. A gaming chip tube can be identified in a gaming chip tray. A first position can be determined that corresponds to a bottom of the gaming chip tube. A spacer can be identified by recognizing a predefined pattern on the spacer. A second position can be determined corresponding to the spacer. A count of gaming chips can be determined based at least in part on the first and second positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage entry of, and claims the benefit ofand priority to, International Patent App. No. PCT/US19/31452, filed May9, 2019, and entitled “COUNTING GAMING CHIPS”, which claims the benefitof and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/668,936, filedMay 9, 2018, and entitled “COUNTING GAME CHIPS,” the each of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

BACKGROUND

Gaming chips can be used in a casino in lieu of currency. The gamingchips can be made from various materials including colored metals,injection-molded plastics, and compression molded clay. The gaming chipscan be stored in a chip tray. The chip tray can be placed in a gamingtable. A casino can include cameras to enable security to monitor thegaming floor.

SUMMARY

A system can include one or more imaging devices and one or morecomputing devices. The imaging device can capture a portion of a gamingtable. The computing device can be in communication with the imagingdevice. The computing device can capture an image from the imagingdevice. The computing device can identify a gaming chip tube in a gamingchip tray, determine a first position corresponding to a bottom of thegaming chip tube, identify a spacer based at least in part onrecognizing a predefined pattern on the spacer, determine a secondposition corresponding to the spacer, and determine a count of gamingchips in the gaming chip tube based at least in part on the firstposition and the second position.

A method can include capturing an image corresponding to a gaming chiptray via one or more one imaging device. The method can includeidentifying a gaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray via one or morecomputing device. The method can include determining a first positioncorresponding to a bottom of the gaming chip tube. The method caninclude identifying a spacer based at least in part on recognizing apredefined pattern on the spacer. The method can include determining asecond position corresponding to the spacer. The method can includedetermining a count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tube based atleast in part on the first position and the second position.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium can embody a program. When theprogram is executed by one or more computing devices, the program cancause the computing device to perform various functionality. The programcan cause the computing device to obtain an image from at least oneimaging device. The program can cause the computing device to identify agaming chip tube in a gaming chip tray. The program can cause thecomputing device to determine a first position corresponding to a bottomof the gaming chip tube. The program can cause the computing device toidentify a spacer based at least in part on recognizing a predefinedpattern on the spacer. The program can cause the computing device todetermine a second position corresponding to the spacer. The program cancause the computing device to determine a count of gaming chips in thegaming chip tube based at least in part on the first position and thesecond position.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will becomeapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration ofthe following detailed description of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments and the advantagesthereof, reference is now made to the following description, inconjunction with the accompanying figures briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a gaming environment according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a gaming environment according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a chip tray according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a gaming chip tube from the chip tray of FIG. 3according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-E are drawings of patterns for spacers according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example flowchart of a process implemented in thegaming environment of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an examplecomputing environment employed in the gaming environment of FIG. 2according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore notto be considered limiting of the scope described herein, as otherequally effective embodiments are within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. The elements and features shown in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Additionally,certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey certainprinciples. In the drawings, similar reference numerals between figuresdesignate like or corresponding, but not necessarily the same, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following paragraphs, the embodiments are described in furtherdetail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. In thedescription, well known components, methods, and/or processingtechniques are omitted or briefly described so as not to obscure theembodiments. As used herein, the “present disclosure” refers to any oneof the embodiments described herein and any equivalents. Furthermore,reference to various feature(s) of the “present embodiment” is not tosuggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).

Among embodiments, some aspects of the present disclosure areimplemented by a computer program executed by one or more processors, asdescribed and illustrated. As would be apparent to one having ordinaryskill in the art, one or more embodiments may be implemented, at leastin part, by computer-readable instructions in various forms, and thepresent disclosure is not intended to be limiting to a particular set orsequence of instructions executed by the processor.

The embodiments described herein are not limited in application to thedetails set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter, additional items, andequivalents thereof. The terms “connected” and “coupled” are usedbroadly and encompass both direct and indirect connections andcouplings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” are notlimited to electrical, physical, or mechanical connections or couplings.As used herein the terms “machine,” “computer,” “server,” and “workstation” are not limited to a device with a single processor, but mayencompass multiple devices (e.g., computers) linked in a system, deviceswith multiple processors, special purpose devices, devices with variousperipherals and input and output devices, software acting as a computeror server, and combinations of the above.

Gaming chips can be stacked together in a chip tray on a gaming table.In some environments, using visual recognition to identify eachindividual gaming chip can be inconsistent. The gaming chips in a gamingchip tube of a chip tray can all correspond to a single denominations.The edges of the gaming chips can have a shared pattern. The individualgaming chips in a chip tray may be difficult to differentiate between.The visual recognition can depend on lighting conditions, the distanceof a camera from the chip tray, and the angle of the camera to the chiptray.

The accuracy of counting gaming chips using visual recognition can beincreased by placing a spacer on one or both sides of a stack of gamingchips in a gaming chip tube. The spacer can be similar to a gaming chipwith a different pattern on the edge. A dealer can place a spacer at theend of each stack of gaming chips. The pattern can be selected to enableeasy visual recognition in contrast to other gaming chips. Rather than,or in addition to, recognizing each individual gaming chip in a stack, asize of the stack can be determined by measuring from the start of thestack of gaming chips to a spacer or from a first spacer to a secondspacer. The width of the stack of gaming chips can be reliablydetermined because of the ability to recognize the spacer in contrast tothe gaming chips.

Turning now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments are described indetail. With reference to FIG. 1, shown is an example gaming environment100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Thegaming environment 100 includes one or more gaming chips 103 and spacers106 in a chip tray 109 of a gaming table 112. One or more imagingdevices 115 can capture the gaming table 112 in a field of view 118.Each imaging device 115 can capture at least a portion of the gamingtable 112 within the field of view 118. Each field of view 118 can havea different perspective based on a position and direction of eachimaging device 115. The spacer 106 can correspond to a gaming chip 103with a predetermined pattern included around a periphery. The imagingdevice 115 can be a still camera, a video camera, or some other lightsensing device.

A location of the gaming chips 103 and spacers 106 can be determined byperforming image recognition on captures from the imaging devices 115.Because the chip tray 109 can be stationary, a position of the variouspoints on the chip tray 109 can be determined for the field of view 118of the imaging device 115 and stored in memory. As an example, astarting and ending position of each gaming chip tube in the chip tray109 can be determined and stored in memory. In some embodiments, thepositions in the chip tray 109 can be determined repeatedly. In otherembodiments, the position of the predetermined gaming chip tubes can beverified to determine if either the chip tray 109 or the imaging device115 has moved.

A count of gaming chips 103 in each gaming chip tube can be determined.The distance can be measured from the start of a gaming chip tube to aposition of a spacer 106. The distance can be divided by a width of thegaming chip 103 to determine a count. The result can be rounded to thenearest gaming chip 103. The count can be checked periodically. In someembodiments, the count can be checked based on a current state of awagering game that is being played on the gaming table 112. As anexample, the count of the gaming chips 103 can be determined each timeone or more cards are dealt and each time gaming chips 103 are receivedor given.

In one embodiment, a spacer 106 can be placed after a fixed number ofgaming chips. As an example, a dealer can place a spacer 106 in a gamingchip tube after every 20 gaming chips 103. By using spacers 106 placedat a fixed frequency, the thickness of the spacer 106 can be reduced orthe imaging devices 115 can be placed even further away.

With reference to FIG. 2, shown is a gaming environment 200 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The gaming environment100 can correspond to an example of the gaming environment 200. Thegaming environment 200 includes a computing environment 203 and one ormore gaming table devices 206, and one or more imaging devices 115,which are in data communication with each other via a network 209. Agaming table device 206 can be positioned at a gaming table 112. Thenetwork 209 includes, for example, the Internet, intranets, extranets,wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wired networks,wireless networks, or other suitable networks, etc., or any combinationof two or more such networks. For example, such networks may comprisesatellite networks, cable networks, Ethernet networks, and other typesof networks.

The computing environment 203 can include, for example, a servercomputer or any other system providing computing capability.Alternatively, the computing environment 203 may employ a plurality ofcomputing devices that may be arranged, for example, in one or moreserver banks or computer banks or other arrangements. Such computingdevices may be located in a single installation or may be distributedamong many different geographical locations. For example, the computingenvironment 203 may include a plurality of computing devices thattogether may comprise a hosted computing resource, a grid computingresource, and/or any other distributed computing arrangement. In somecases, the computing environment 203 may correspond to an elasticcomputing resource where the allotted capacity of processing, network,storage, or other computing-related resources may vary over time.

Various applications and/or other functionality may be executed in thecomputing environment 203 according to various embodiments. Also,various data is stored in a data store 212 that is accessible to thecomputing environment 203. The data store 212 may be representative of aplurality of data stores 212 as can be appreciated. The data stored inthe data store 212, for example, is associated with the operation of thevarious applications and/or functional entities described below.

The components executed in the computing environment 203, for example,include an identification service 215, and other applications, services,processes, systems, engines, or functionality not discussed in detailherein. The identification service 215 can be executed to count gamingchips 103 used in a casino. The identification service 215 can determinea count of gaming chips 103 in a chip tray 109 by determining a spanbetween a starting position in a chip tray tube and a position of aspacer 106 (FIG. 1). The identification service 215 can divide the spanby a width of the gaming chips 103. It can be appreciated that some orall of the functionality performed by the identification service 215 canbe performed by the gaming table device 206. In some embodiments, someor all of the functionality performed by the identification service 215can be performed by one or more imaging devices 115.

The data stored in the data store 212 includes, for example, visual data218, currency data 221, imaging devices 224, and potentially other data.The visual data 218 can be used to facilitate visual recognition ofdifferent gaming chips 103. The visual data 218 can include images ofpatterns corresponding to edges of gaming chips 103 and spacers 106. Thevisual data 218 can include images of a top and a bottom of the gamingchips 103 and the spacers 106. The visual data 218 can include threedimensional (3D) models of gaming chips 103, spacers 106, chip trays 109including gaming chip tubes, and other gaming items. The visual data 218can include details of one or more visual security featurescorresponding to a gaming chip 103 and/or spacer 106.

The currency data 221 can include a list of all active gaming chipsincluding any identifiers associated with the gaming chips, such as, forexample, RFID tag identifiers and other identifiers. The currency data221 can include all gaming chips 103 authorized for use at one or morecasinos. The currency data 221 can store information about where eachgaming chip 103 is read within the casino. Using this information aboutreads within the casino, the identification service 215 can track wherethe gaming chips 103 move throughout a casino.

The imaging devices 224 can include a list of imaging devices 115. Theimaging devices 224 can include a position of each of the imagingdevices 115. A field of view 118 (FIG. 1) can be different for eachimaging device 115. As an example, one imaging device 115 can bepositioned on a gaming table 112 while another imaging device 115 ispositioned overhead aiming down at the gaming table 112. To enhancerecognition, the visual data 218 can include visual data specific toeach imaging device 224, which can be based on the field of view 118 forthe specific imaging device 115.

The gaming table device 206 is representative of a plurality of gamingtables 112 that may be coupled to the network 209. The gaming tabledevice 206 can include, for example, one or more computing devices witha processor-based system such as a computer system. Such a computersystem may be embodied in the form of an embedded computing device orother devices with similar capability. The gaming table device 206 caninclude a chip tray 109, one or more bet spots 239, a chip recycler 242,a bill validator 245, and a display 248.

A dealer can receive cash from a patron and pay the patron in gamingchips 103 from the chip tray 109. The dealer can put the money in thebill validator 245. The dealer can deal cards for a wagering game at thegaming table device 206. The patrons at the gaming table device 206 canplace bets using gaming chips 103 on various outcomes of the wageringgame. When a patron wins, the dealer can pay the patron with the gamingchips 103 stored in the chip tray 109. When a patron loses, the dealercan take the wagered gaming chips 103 from the bet spots 239. The dealercan place taken gaming chips 103 in the chip recycler 242 or in the chiptray 109. During use of the gaming table device 206, various gamingchips 103 can be added to and removed from the chip tray 109.

The identification service 215 can receive a video stream from one ormore imaging devices 115. The identification service 215 can identifythe chip tray 109 in images from the video stream using the visual data218. The identification service 215 can determine one or more gamingchip tubes in the chip tray 109. For each of the gaming chip tubes, theidentification service 215 can identify a first position correspondingto a first end of the gaming chip tube.

The identification service 215 can identify a spacer 106 in the gamingchip tube by recognizing a pattern of the spacer 106 in the chip tray109. The spacer 106 can be located between the first end and a secondend of the gaming chip tube. The spacer 106 can be positioned at an endof a stack of gaming chips 103. The identification service 215 candetermine a second position corresponding to the spacer 106. As thespacer 106 has a width, the identification service 215 can determine thesecond position as an edge of the spacer 106 nearest to the firstposition. In some embodiments, a midpoint of the spacer 106 is used andany further calculation of a count of gaming chips 103 involves roundingdown to the nearest number of gaming chips 103.

The identification service 215 can determine a distance or span betweenthe first position and the second position. A count of gaming chips 103in the gaming chip tube can be determined based on the distance. As anexample, the identification service 215 can divide the distance by awidth of a gaming chip 103. The identification service 215 can round thecalculated count to the nearest integral count of gaming chips 103. Insome embodiments, if the calculation is outside of a predefinedparameters, a remedial action can be taken. The predefined parameterscan include a parameter defining maximum count of gaming chips 103 inthe gaming chip tube. The predefined parameters can also include athreshold for rounding. According to one example, a threshold can be setto 0.2. In this example, a determined count of 10.1 or 9.9 can berounded to 10, but a remedial action can be taken if a determined countis 9.6 or 10.4.

The remedial action can include illuminating or activating an indicatorto signal to a dealer to lock down the chip tray 109. The display 248can render information indicated details of the chip tray 109. As anexample, the display 248 can render a visual representation of the chiptray 109 including the one or more gaming chip tubes that are outside ofa predefined parameter. The identification service 215 can analyze thegaming chips 103 in the problematic gaming chip tube to determine thecause of the issue. As an example, the identification service 215 canidentify a space between two gaming chips 103 in a gaming chip tube. Asanother example, the identification service 215 can identify an improperobject located in the gaming chip tube. The identification service 215can cause the gaming table device 206 to render an image of the chiptray 109 with an overlay indicating the problematic area of the gamingchip tube.

Other remedial actions can include stopping any future games, stopping agame until approval for an authorized user is received, and alertingsecurity. The level of an authorized user can be based on thediscrepancy identified. For example, a lower level of authorized usercan be required when a rounding error is identified. A higher level ofauthorized user can be required when a count of gaming chips 103 isbelow an expected count.

The thresholds may be based on past actions of a dealer or otherauthorized user associated with the discrepancy. For example, theidentification service 215 can identify a dealer with a history thatincludes a pattern of exceeding thresholds of parameters on a gamingtable device 206. The identification service 215 can initiate a morerestrictive remedial action based on the repetition. For example, themore restrictive remedial action may require approval from a user with agreater authority.

The identification service 215 can identify a dealer, pit boss, securityofficer, casino manager, or other casino employee with a history ofexceeding thresholds. The identification service 215 can identify anemployee with a specific statistical property that exceeds a threshold.As an example, the identification service 215 can calculate a ratio ofgames played to thresholds exceeded. If the ratio exceeds a threshold,the identification service 215 can initiate a remedial action.

In some embodiments, a gaming chip reader, such as an RFID antenna, canbe positioned at the chip tray 109, at each of the bet spots 239, at thechip recycler 242, and in another positions. A gaming chip reader canalso be placed at a casino cage, a bank, a vault, or any other locationwhere gaming chips are used. The gaming table device 206 can read RFIDtags from RFID-enabled gaming chips 103 using the gaming chip reader.The identification service 215 can reconcile a count of gaming chips 103from a visual recognition against a read of RFID-enabled gaming chips103. The identification service 215 can determine if the count fromvisually recognizing spacers 106 matches a count from reading RFID tagsin the gaming chips 103. If the counts fail to match, a remedial actioncan be taken.

The chip recycler 242 can operate in a similar fashion to a coinrecycler. The chip recycler 242 can be used in addition to or in placeof chip tray 109. At the end of game or hand, if a dealer has collectedgaming chips 103 from patrons, the gaming chips 103 can be placed intoan input area, such as a funnel, hopper or tube, and then validated(authenticated), counted, sorted, and stored by the chip recycler 242.If gaming chips 103 are to be paid out to patrons, exchanged for cash,or exchanged for other gaming chips 103, then the gaming table device206 or the identification service 215 can instruct the chip recycler 242how much to pay out in gaming chips 103. The denominations to pay outcan also be specified. A chip recycler 242 within a cashier cage, a bankor vault, or kiosk (not shown) can operate in a similar fashion. A userplaces the gaming chips 103 in the chip recycler 242, the chip recycler242 processes the gaming chips 103, and the chip recycler 242 eitherautomatically outputs gaming chips 103 in other denominations or outputscash equal to the input value.

With reference to FIG. 3, shown is a chip tray 109 according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The chip tray 109 can include oneor more gaming chip tubes 303 a-j. Each gaming chip tube 303 can includegaming chips 103 and a spacer 309. The spacer 309 can correspond to aspecific spacer 106 as indicated in the chip tray 109.

In one example, the identification service 215 (FIG. 2) can determine afirst position 306 for a gaming chip tube 303 e. The identificationservice 215 can determine a second position corresponding to a locationof the spacer 309. The identification service 215 can measure a distancebetween the first position 306 and the spacer 309. The identificationservice 215 can divide the distance by a width of a gaming chip 103. Theresult can correspond to a number of gaming chips 103 in the gaming chiptube 303 e.

With reference to FIG. 4, shown is a gaming chip tube 303 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The gaming chip tube 303can include gaming chips 103 a-e and spacer 106. An edge of the gamingchips can have a first pattern 409 and an edge of the spacer can have asecond pattern 412. The first pattern 409 and second pattern 412 can bevisually distinct from each other. The visual distinctions canfacilitate image recognition of transitions between a gaming chip 103and a spacer 106.

The identification service 215 can determine the first position 306 anda second position corresponding to the spacer 106. The identificationservice 215 can determine a distance 403 between the first position 306and a bottom edge of the spacer 106. The identification service 215 candivide the distance 403 by the width 406 of the gaming chips 103. In theillustrated example in FIG. 4, the identification service 215 candetermine that five gaming chips 103 a-e are located in the gaming chiptube 303 because the width 406 divides into the distance 403 five times.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5E, shown are various example patterns 412a-e according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Thepatterns 412 can be stored in the data store 212 (FIG. 2) as visual data218 (FIG. 2). An edge of the spacers 106 (FIG. 1) can have a pattern412. In some embodiments, the pattern 412 can be printed on the edge orperiphery of the spacer. In other embodiments, the pattern 412 can becreated by using one or more injections in an injection mold process.The pattern 412 can be selected to be visually distinct from one or morepatterns 409 (FIG. 4) that are used for the gaming chips 103.

As shown, the patterns 412 a, b, and d include various patterns usingconcentric circles. The pattern 412 c includes diagonal linescrisscrossing across the edge. The pattern 412 e includes triangles witheach triangle rotated 180 degrees from the previous triangle. Thepatterns 412 can also have other properties that vary from the patterns409. As an example, the patterns 412 can include colors that differ fromthe pattern 409. One or more colors of the pattern 412 can be chosen tomaximize visual distinctiveness from one or more colors used on gamingchips 103 of various denominations. As another example, the pattern 412can include reflective properties. In one embodiment, the concentriccircles in pattern 412 a are reflective while the background is notreflective. Various other patterns 412 can be used as can beappreciated.

The patterns 412 on the spacer 106 can be designs to be reliablydifferentiable from the gaming chips 103 during image recognition. Thepatterns 412 shown in the example embodiments can be differentiated fromgaming chips without requiring a high resolution image analysis. Assuch, the imaging devices 115 can be positioned further from the gamingtable 112. Less pixels per spacer 106 and gaming chip 103 may beavailable based on the imaging device 115 being positioned further away.As one example with the triangles, the height of the spacer 106 can bechecked with only 12-15 pixels.

Before turning to the flow diagram of a process 600 shown in FIG. 6, itis noted that embodiments described herein may be practiced using analternative order of the steps illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, theprocess flow illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided as an example only, andthe embodiments may be practiced using process flows that differ fromthat illustrated. Additionally, it is noted that not all steps arerequired in every embodiment. In other words, one or more of the stepsmay be omitted or replaced, without departing from the scope of theembodiments. Further, steps may be performed in different orders, inparallel with one another, or omitted entirely, and/or certainadditional steps may be performed without departing from the scope andspirit of the embodiments.

At box 603, the process 600 can include capturing an image of at least aportion of a chip tray. An imaging device 115 can capture an image of atleast a portion of the chip tray 109. The image can correspond to aframe from a video stream from the imaging device 115. The image can becalculated by merging images from two or more imaging devices 115. As anexample, a dealer may block part of a field of view 118 for one or moreimaging devices 115 during a frame of video. The identification service215 can create a single image by merging multiple perspectives frommultiple imaging devices 115. The identification service 215 can stitchtogether the single image omitting one or more obstructions of the chiptray 109.

In one embodiment, the image can be calculated based on a keyframe, alsocalled an intra-frame, and one or more frames that are limited tochanges. The keyframe can include a complete image while subsequentframes can include changes to the keyframe image. The identificationservice 215 can apply one or more changes to a most recent previouskeyframe image to determine an image to process.

At box 606, the process 600 can include identifying gaming chip tubes ina chip tray from the image. The identification service 215 can performimage recognition on the image to identify a chip tray 109. The imagerecognition can be based on data stored in visual data 218. Theidentification service 215 can utilize one or more models or imagesstored in visual data 218 to identify the chip tray 109.

The identification service 215 can identify one or more gaming chiptubes 303 in the chip tray 109. The identification service 215 canutilize the visual data 218 to identify one or more gaming chip tubes303 in the image of the chip tray 109. As discussed in boxes 609, 612,and 615, the identification service 215 can process each gaming chiptube 303 to determine a count of gaming chips 103 in each tube.

At box 609, the process 600 can include determining a first position inthe gaming chip tube. The identification service 215 can determine afirst position in a gaming chip tube 303. The identification service 215can determine the first position is a first end of the gaming chip tube303. The first end can correspond to a position of a first gaming chip103 located in the gaming chip tube 303. In some embodiments, the firstposition can correspond to the location of a spacer 106 on a first endof a stack of gaming chips 103. The identification service 215 candetermine a location of a first spacer 106 by recognizing a pattern ofthe spacer 106 from the visual data 218 to the image of the gaming chiptube 303.

At box 612, the process 600 can include determining a second position inthe gaming chip tube 303. The identification service 215 can determine asecond position in a gaming chip tube 303. The second position cancorrespond to the location of a spacer 106 on a second end of a stack ofgaming chips 103. The second end of the stack of gaming chips 103 can beopposite the first position from box 609. The identification service 215can determine a location of a spacer 106 by recognizing a pattern of thespacer 106 from the visual data 218 to the image of the gaming chip tube303.

In some embodiments, a spacer 106 can be located on both ends of a stackof gaming chips 103 in the gaming chip tube 303. The spacers 106 canbookend a stack of gaming chips 103. The identification service 215 canvisually recognize two spacers 106 in the gaming chip tube 303. Thefirst position can correspond to the first spacer 106 and the secondposition can correspond to the second spacer 106.

At box 615, the process 600 can include determining a count of thegaming chips in the gaming chip tube 303 based on the first position andthe second position. The identification service 215 can determine adistance between the first and second position. The identificationservice 215 can divide the distance by a width of a gaming chip 103 todetermine a count of gaming chips 103 in the gaming chip tube 303.

The identification service 215 can determine a number of pixels betweenthe first position and the second position. The visual data 218 canstore known distances that can be utilized to calculate the distancebased on the number of pixels. As an example, if a gaming chip 103 is 3mm wide and seven gaming chips 103 are stacked in a gaming chip tube303, the identification service 215 can determine a distance of 21 mmbetween the first position of the gaming chip tube 303 and the spacer106 at the second position in the gaming chip tube 303. If theidentification service 215 determines a distance of 22 mm or 20 mm, thedistance can be rounded to identify the count of the seven gaming chips103.

As an example, the visual data 218 can include a width and length of thechip tray 109 and the gaming chip tube 303. A distance and angle of theimaging device 115 can also be used to calculate the distance.

At box 618, the process 600 can include determining if another gamingchip tube is to be processed. If so, the process 600 moves to box 606 toprocess the next gaming chip tube 303. Otherwise, the process 600 movesto box 603 to process another image. The other image can be asequentially next frame in a video stream. The identification service215 can select the next image on a predefined interval. The next imagecan be selected based on an event, such as, for example, a start of awagering game, an end of a wagering game, a start or end of a phase of awagering game, gaming chips 103 being added or removed from the chiptray 109, or some other event.

Turning to FIG. 7, an example hardware diagram of a computing device 700is illustrated. Any of the computing environment 203 including theidentification service 215, imaging devices 115, and gaming tabledevices 206 may be implemented, in part, using one or more elements ofthe computing device 700. The computing device 700 can include one ormore of a processor 710, a Random Access Memory (“RAM”) 720, a Read OnlyMemory (“ROM”) 730, a memory device 740, a network interface 750, and anInput Output (“I/O”) interface 760. The elements of the computing device700 are communicatively coupled via a bus 702.

The processor 710 can include an arithmetic processor, ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”), or other types of hardware orsoftware processors. The RAM and ROM 720 and 730 can include a memorythat stores computer-readable instructions to be executed by theprocessor 710. The memory device 740 stores computer-readableinstructions thereon that, when executed by the processor 710, directthe processor 710 to execute various aspects of the present disclosuredescribed herein. When the processor 710 includes an ASIC, the processesdescribed herein may be executed by the ASIC according to an embeddedcircuitry design of the ASIC, by firmware of the ASIC, or both anembedded circuitry design and firmware of the ASIC. As a non-limitingexample group, the memory device 740 comprises one or more of an opticaldisc, a magnetic disc, a semiconductor memory (i.e., a semiconductor,floating gate, or similar flash based memory), a magnetic tape memory, aremovable memory, combinations thereof, or any other known memory meansfor storing computer-readable instructions. The network interface 750can include hardware interfaces to communicate over data networks. TheI/O interface 760 can include device input and output interfaces such askeyboard, pointing device, display, communication, and other interfaces.The bus 702 can electrically and communicatively couple the processor710, the RAM 720, the ROM 730, the memory device 740, the networkinterface 750, and the I/O interface 760, so that data and instructionsmay be communicated among them.

In operation, the processor 710 is configured to retrievecomputer-readable instructions stored on the memory device 740, the RAM720, the ROM 730, or another storage means, and to copy thecomputer-readable instructions to the RAM 720 or the ROM 730 forexecution, for example. The processor 710 is further configured toexecute the computer-readable instructions to implement various aspectsand features of the present disclosure. For example, the processor 710may be adapted and configured to execute the processes described abovewith reference to FIG. 7, including the processes described as beingperformed by the identification service 215. Also, the memory device 740may store the data stored in the data store 212.

A phrase, such as “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specificallystated otherwise, is to be understood with the context as used ingeneral to present that an item, term, etc., can be either X, Y, or Z,or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Similarly, “at leastone of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is to beunderstood to present that an item, term, etc., can be either X, Y, andZ, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, as usedherein, such phrases are not generally intended to, and should not,imply that certain embodiments require at least one of either X, Y, or Zto be present, but not, for example, one X and one Y. Further, suchphrases should not imply that certain embodiments require each of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to be present.

Although embodiments have been described herein in detail, thedescriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodimentsdescribed herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments,certain features and elements may be added or omitted. Additionally,modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassmodifications and equivalent structures.

Clause 1. A system comprising: at least one imaging device configured tocapture at least a portion of a gaming table; and at least one computingdevice coupled to the at least one imaging device, the at least onecomputing device configured to at least: capture an image from the atleast one imaging device; identify a gaming chip tube in a gaming chiptray; determine a first position corresponding to a bottom of the gamingchip tube; identify a spacer based at least in part on recognizing apredefined pattern on the spacer; determine a second positioncorresponding to the spacer; and determine a count of gaming chips inthe gaming chip tube based at least in part on the first position andthe second position.

Clause 2. The system of clause 1, the at least one computing device isfurther configured to: identify a second gaming chip tube in the gamingchip tray; determine a third position corresponding to a bottom of thesecond gaming chip tube; identify a second spacer based at least in parton recognizing the predefined pattern on the second spacer; determine afourth position corresponding to the second spacer; and determine acount of gaming chips in the second gaming chip tube based at least inpart on the third position and the fourth position.

Clause 3. The system of clause 1 or 2, further comprising at least onesecond imaging device configured to capture at least a portion of thegaming chip tray, wherein the at least one computing device is furtherconfigured to at least: capture a second image from the at least onesecond imaging device; determine a third position corresponding to thebottom of the gaming chip tube in the second image; identify the spacerby based at least in part on recognizing the predefined pattern on thespacer in the second image; determine a fourth position corresponding tothe spacer; and determine a second count of gaming chips in the gamingchip tube based at least in part on the third position and the fourthposition.

Clause 4. The system of clause 3, wherein the at least one computingdevice is further configured to at least: determine that the count ofgaming chips fails to match the second count of gaming chips; andperform a remedial action responsive to the count failing to match thesecond count.

Clause 5. The system of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the predefinedpattern on the spacer differs from a pattern on any of a plurality ofdenominations of gaming chips.

Clause 6. The system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the at least onecomputing device is further configured to calculate a delta of the firstposition and the second position, wherein the count of the gaming chipsis determined as rounding a result of the delta divided by a gaming chipsize.

Clause 7. A method comprising: capturing, via at least one imagingdevice, an image corresponding to a gaming chip tray; identifying, viaat least one computing device, a gaming chip tube in the gaming chiptray; determining, via the at least one computing device, a firstposition corresponding to a bottom of the gaming chip tube; identifying,via the at least one computing device, a spacer based at least in parton recognizing a predefined pattern on the spacer; determining, via theat least one computing device, a second position corresponding to thespacer; and determining, via the at least one computing device, a countof gaming chips in the gaming chip tube based at least in part on thefirst position and the second position.

Clause 8. The method of clause 7, further comprising: identifying, viathe at least one computing device, a second gaming chip tube in thegaming chip tray; determining, via the at least one computing device, athird position corresponding to a bottom of the second gaming chip tube;identifying, via the at least one computing device, a second spacerbased at least in part on recognizing a second predefined pattern on thesecond spacer; determining, via the at least one computing device, afourth position corresponding to the second spacer; and determining, viathe at least one computing device, a count of gaming chips in the secondgaming chip tube based at least in part on the third position and thefourth position.

Clause 9. The method of clause 7 or 8, further comprising: obtaining,via the at least one computing device, a second image from at least onesecond imaging device; determining, via the at least one computingdevice, a third position corresponding to the bottom of the gaming chiptube in the second image; identifying, via the at least one computingdevice, the spacer based at least in part on recognizing the predefinedpattern on the spacer in the second image; determining, via the at leastone computing device, a fourth position corresponding to the spacer; anddetermining, via the at least one computing device, a second count ofgaming chips in the gaming chip tube based at least in part on the thirdposition and the fourth position.

Clause 10. The method of clause 9, further comprising: determining, viathe at least one computing device, that the count of gaming chips failsto match the second count of gaming chips; and in response todetermining that the count of gaming chips fails to match the secondcount of gaming chips, performing a remedial action.

Clause 11. The method of any of clauses 7-10, further comprisingcapturing, via the at least one imaging device, at least a portion of agaming table.

Clause 12. The method of any of clauses 7-11, wherein the predefinedpattern on the spacer differs from a pattern on any of a plurality ofdenominations of gaming chips.

Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 7-12, further comprisingcalculating, via the at least one computing device, a delta of the firstposition and the second position, wherein the count of the gaming chipsis determined as rounding a result of the delta divided by a gaming chipsize.

Clause 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying aprogram, that when executed by at least one computing device, causes theat least one computing device to at least: obtain an image from at leastone imaging device; identify a gaming chip tube in a gaming chip tray;determine a first position corresponding to a bottom of the gaming chiptube; identify a spacer based at least in part on recognizing apredefined pattern on the spacer; determine a second positioncorresponding to the spacer; and determine a count of gaming chips inthe gaming chip tube based at least in part on the first position andthe second position.

Clause 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 14,wherein the program further causes the at least one computing device toat least: identify a second gaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray;determine a third position corresponding to a bottom of the secondgaming chip tube; identify a second spacer based at least in part onrecognizing a second predefined pattern on the second spacer; determinea fourth position corresponding to the second spacer; and determine acount of gaming chips in the second gaming chip tube based at least inpart on the third position and the fourth position.

Clause 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 14 or15, wherein the program further causes the at least one computing deviceto at least: obtain a second image from at least one second imagingdevice; determine a third position corresponding to the bottom of thegaming chip tube in the second image; identify the spacer based at leastin part on recognizing the predefined pattern on the spacer in thesecond image; determine a fourth position corresponding to the spacer;and determine a second count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tubebased at least in part on the third position and the fourth position.

Clause 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 16,wherein the program further causes the at least one computing device toat least: determine that the count of gaming chips fails to match thesecond count of gaming chips; and perform a remedial action.

Clause 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses14-17, wherein the at least one imaging device is configured to captureat least a portion of a gaming table.

Clause 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses14-18, wherein the predefined pattern on the spacer differs from apattern on any of a plurality of denominations of gaming chips.

Clause 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses14-19, wherein the program further causes the at least one computingdevice to at least calculate a delta of the first position and thesecond position, wherein the count of the gaming chips is determined asrounding a result of the delta divided by a gaming chip size.

Therefore, at least the following is claimed:
 1. A system comprising: atleast one imaging device configured to capture at least a portion of agaming table; and at least one computing device coupled to the at leastone imaging device, the at least one computing device configured to atleast: capture an image from the at least one imaging device; identify agaming chip tube in a gaming chip tray; determine a first positioncorresponding to a bottom of the gaming chip tube; identify a spacerbased at least in part on recognizing a predefined pattern on thespacer; determine a second position corresponding to the spacer; anddetermine a count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tube based at leastin part on the first position and the second position.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, the at least one computing device is further configured to:identify a second gaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray; determine athird position corresponding to a bottom of the second gaming chip tube;identify a second spacer based at least in part on recognizing thepredefined pattern on the second spacer; determine a fourth positioncorresponding to the second spacer; and determine a count of gamingchips in the second gaming chip tube based at least in part on the thirdposition and the fourth position.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one second imaging device configured to capture atleast a portion of the gaming chip tray, wherein the at least onecomputing device is further configured to at least: capture a secondimage from the at least one second imaging device; determine a thirdposition corresponding to the bottom of the gaming chip tube in thesecond image; identify the spacer by based at least in part onrecognizing the predefined pattern on the spacer in the second image;determine a fourth position corresponding to the spacer; and determine asecond count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tube based at least inpart on the third position and the fourth position.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the at least one computing device is further configuredto at least: determine that the count of gaming chips fails to match thesecond count of gaming chips; and perform a remedial action responsiveto the count failing to match the second count.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the predefined pattern on the spacer differs from a patternon any of a plurality of denominations of gaming chips.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one computing device is further configuredto calculate a delta of the first position and the second position,wherein the count of the gaming chips is determined as rounding a resultof the delta divided by a gaming chip size.
 7. A method comprising:capturing, via at least one imaging device, an image corresponding to agaming chip tray; identifying, via at least one computing device, agaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray; determining, via the at leastone computing device, a first position corresponding to a bottom of thegaming chip tube; identifying, via the at least one computing device, aspacer based at least in part on recognizing a predefined pattern on thespacer; determining, via the at least one computing device, a secondposition corresponding to the spacer; and determining, via the at leastone computing device, a count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tubebased at least in part on the first position and the second position. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising: identifying, via the at leastone computing device, a second gaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray;determining, via the at least one computing device, a third positioncorresponding to a bottom of the second gaming chip tube; identifying,via the at least one computing device, a second spacer based at least inpart on recognizing a second predefined pattern on the second spacer;determining, via the at least one computing device, a fourth positioncorresponding to the second spacer; and determining, via the at leastone computing device, a count of gaming chips in the second gaming chiptube based at least in part on the third position and the fourthposition.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: obtaining, viathe at least one computing device, a second image from at least onesecond imaging device; determining, via the at least one computingdevice, a third position corresponding to the bottom of the gaming chiptube in the second image; identifying, via the at least one computingdevice, the spacer based at least in part on recognizing the predefinedpattern on the spacer in the second image; determining, via the at leastone computing device, a fourth position corresponding to the spacer; anddetermining, via the at least one computing device, a second count ofgaming chips in the gaming chip tube based at least in part on the thirdposition and the fourth position.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: determining, via the at least one computing device, that thecount of gaming chips fails to match the second count of gaming chips;and in response to determining that the count of gaming chips fails tomatch the second count of gaming chips, performing a remedial action.11. The method of claim 7, further comprising capturing, via the atleast one imaging device, at least a portion of a gaming table.
 12. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the predefined pattern on the spacer differsfrom a pattern on any of a plurality of denominations of gaming chips.13. The method of claim 7, further comprising calculating, via the atleast one computing device, a delta of the first position and the secondposition, wherein the count of the gaming chips is determined asrounding a result of the delta divided by a gaming chip size.
 14. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium embodying a program, that whenexecuted by at least one computing device, causes the at least onecomputing device to at least: obtain an image from at least one imagingdevice; identify a gaming chip tube in a gaming chip tray; determine afirst position corresponding to a bottom of the gaming chip tube;identify a spacer based at least in part on recognizing a predefinedpattern on the spacer; determine a second position corresponding to thespacer; and determine a count of gaming chips in the gaming chip tubebased at least in part on the first position and the second position.15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein theprogram further causes the at least one computing device to at least:identify a second gaming chip tube in the gaming chip tray; determine athird position corresponding to a bottom of the second gaming chip tube;identify a second spacer based at least in part on recognizing a secondpredefined pattern on the second spacer; determine a fourth positioncorresponding to the second spacer; and determine a count of gamingchips in the second gaming chip tube based at least in part on the thirdposition and the fourth position.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the program further causesthe at least one computing device to at least: obtain a second imagefrom at least one second imaging device; determine a third positioncorresponding to the bottom of the gaming chip tube in the second image;identify the spacer based at least in part on recognizing the predefinedpattern on the spacer in the second image; determine a fourth positioncorresponding to the spacer; and determine a second count of gamingchips in the gaming chip tube based at least in part on the thirdposition and the fourth position.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program further causesthe at least one computing device to at least: determine that the countof gaming chips fails to match the second count of gaming chips; andperform a remedial action.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the at least one imaging device isconfigured to capture at least a portion of a gaming table.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein thepredefined pattern on the spacer differs from a pattern on any of aplurality of denominations of gaming chips.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the program further causesthe at least one computing device to at least calculate a delta of thefirst position and the second position, wherein the count of the gamingchips is determined as rounding a result of the delta divided by agaming chip size.